Signal-translating apparatus



Allg. 15, 1939. A, L SAMUEL 2,169,396

S IGNAL TRANSLAT ING APPARATUS Filed May 8, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l IINNNHNHNNN" /NvE/vToR By A.L.$AMUEL ATTORNEY Au8 15, 1939- A. l.. SAMUEL 2,169,396

S IGNAL-TRANSLAT ING APPARATUS Filed May 8, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F IG. /0

vuuwva UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGNAL-TRANSLATING Arthur L. Samuel, Orange, N. J., assigner to Bell Telephone Laboratories,

Incorporated, New

York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 8, 1936,'Serial No. 78,594

Claims. (Cl. 179-171) This invention relates to signal translating apparatus and, more particularly, to electron discharge devices and circuits therefor especially suitable for amplifying ultra-high frequency im- 5 pulses, for example, impulses of frequencies corresponding to Wave-lengths of less than one meter.

In ultra-high frequency amplifying systems including electron discharge devices, the translating characteristics and the lower limit of operating wave-lengths are dependent to a material degree upon the coupling extant between the several tuned lcircuits connecting the electrodes of the device. One of the important factors determining such coupling and the operating characteristics at extremely high frequencies is the impedance of the leading-in conductors for the several electrodes and the coupling between two or more of the tuned circuits produced by the leading-in conductors. For example, it has been found that if; in accordanceL with general practice heretofore, the input and output circuits of an electron discharge device are connected tothe same leading-in conductor for the cathode, this conductor provides a common impedance in the two circuits and, as a result, undesired coupling between these circuits obtains with a resultant determination of the maximum frequency at which stable translation is attainable, at a relatively high wave-length. l

One general object of this invention is to increase the operating stability and power capacity of ultra-high frequency signal translating syss tems and also to increase the range of frequencies in which stable operation is attainable.

More specifically, objects of this invention are:

To substantially completely segregate two or more tuned circuits associated with an electron discharge device;

To eliminate common impedances in such tuned circuits whereby undesired coupling therebetween is minimized;

To remove stringent restrictions upon the parameters of leading-in conductors for the electrodes in electron discharge devices operable at extremely high frequencies;

To reduce dielectric losses in such devices Y whereby a high power capacity is enabled;

V the anode.

tion, a signal amplifying lsystem comprises an electron dischargedevice including a cathode, a

" control electrode or grid, and an anode, each of the electrodes being provided with two or more relatively widely spaced leading-in conductors.

. Preferably, onev of the conductors for the cathode extends from the enclosing vessel in proximity to one ofthe conductors for the control electrode or grid and another conductor for the cathode extends in proximity to one of the conductors for the anode. Another conductorfor the anode and one for the control electrode or grid extend remote from the aforementioned conductors and in proximity to each other.

A tunable input circuit, which may be of the coil and condenser type, a parallel wire or Lecher systemor a distributed constant coaxial conductor system, may be connected to the adjacent conductors for the cathode and the control electrode or grid and a tunable output circuit of any one of the types aforementioned may be connected'between adjacent conductors for the cathode and the anode. `A third tunable or neutralization circuit may be connected between the proximately disposed conductors for the-anode and the control electrode or grid and adjusted to resonate at the frequency at which the system is to be operated.,

' The electrodes of the electron dischargedevice may be planar and arranged parallel to each other or they may be cylindrical and arranged coaxially one within another. The anode may be cylindrical and constitute a portion4 of the enclosing vessel. A t

In an illustrative system including an electron discharge device of the external anode type, two leading-in conductors are provided for the control electrode or grid and extend from opposite ends of the enclosing vessel, and the leading-in conductors for the cathode extend from one end of the vessel. ductors preferably are straight metallic rods extending coaxially with respect to theV electrode system. The cathode conductors may be connected individually to the halves of a longitudinally split metallicfcylinder. encompassing and coaxial with one of the grid conductors. The two grid conductors and the cathode cylinder are encompassed bya tubular metallic, cylinder .coaxial therewith and electrically connectedV to The anode cylinder The control electrode or grid ,con-

4and one of the-gridl conductors constitute a tunable distributed constant system which may be utilized as a neutralization circuit. The other grid conductor and the cathode cylinder constitute a tunable disv lau-muted constant input circuit and the cathode and; anode cylinders constitute a tunable distributed constant output circuit. The various circuits may be tuned by suitable short shunting will be understood more clearly and fully from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig..1 is a perspective view of an electron discharge device illustrative of one embodiment of this invention;

Pig. 2 is a perspective view of another illustrative electron discharge device constructed in accordance with this invention, wherein one of the tuned circuits'is mounted within the enclosing vessel of the device;

Fig. 3 is another perspective view illustrating another electron discharge device constructed in accordance with this invention particularly adapted for amplifying systems wherein a neutralization circuit is connected between the cathode and the anode.

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of an amplifying system illustrative of this invention wherein the tuned circuits comprise parallel wire or Lech systems:

Fig. 5 illustrates another amplifier circuit wherein the tuned circuits comprise concentric conductor distributed constant systems;

Fig. 6 is anenlarged detail view in cross-section of the slidable tuning members included in the circuit sown in Fig. 5;

Figs. 7 and 8 are schematic'diagrams illustrating amplifier circuits wherein one of the tuned circuits is mounted within the enclosing vessel of the electron discharge devices Fig. 9isaviewincross-sectionofanexternal anode electron discharge device constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 10 is a view partly in cross-section showing an ultra-short wave amplifier wherein the electrodes of the electron discharge device constitute portions of concentric conductor distributed constant systems and the input circuit u disposed mainly within the output circuit;

Fig. 11 is a view in cross-section along line II-il oi' Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view of one of the tuning members incorporated in the systems shown in Fig. 10.

Referring now to the drawings. the electron discharge device shown inFig. 1 comprises an enclosing vessel Il having therein a cathode Il, a control electrode or grid Il, and an anode i3, the several electrodes being disposed in parallel planes. 'I'he cathode Il may be a V-shaped filament having leading-in conductors Il and Il extending from the ends thereof and sealed in a wall of the enclosing vessel Il, to which conductors a suitable source of heating current may be connected. Another leading-in conductor I6 is connected to the same end of the filament as the conductor I5 and is sealed in the vessel il remote from the conductor Il, for example, at a point diametrlcally opposite to the point of sealing of the conductor I5 to the vessel.

vThe control electrode or grid Il may comprise a pair of parallel metallic uprights or supports I1 and I8 betweenwhichaiinewiregrid Ilis wound. A leading-in conductor Il is connected to the upright or support l1 and extends from the vessel VIl Vin close 'proximity to the leading-in conductor Il for the cathode Il. Another leading-in conductor 2| is connected to the upright or support Il and extends from the vessel il remote to the leading-in conductor lifor the control electrode or grid I2 and preferably extends parallel to the latter conductor. The anode leadingin conductor 23 is sealed in the enclosing vessel It in proximity to the leading-in conductor Il' for the cathode I i and preferably extends parallel to this conductor Il.

The electron discharge device shown in Fig. l may be utilized in a translating system including three tuned circuits, no two of which are coupled by a common leading-in conductor. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, an input circuit of the Lecher type including parallel wires 24 and 25 and a slidable short-circuiting member 26 may be connected to the conductors 2| and I5 for the control electrode I2 and cathode Il, respectively. An output circuit also of the Lecher type and composed of parallel wires 2l and 2l and a slidable short-circuiting member 2! may be connected between the conductors II and 23 for the cathode and anode, respectively. 'I'he input and output circuits may be tuned to the operating frequently desired.

A. thirdLecher system composed of parallel wires 30 and 3| and a short-circuiting member n I2 for varying the length'and tuning thereof is connected between the conductors 2i and 22 for the control electrode I2 and anode II, respectively. This third system may be adjusted to resonate with the grid-anode interelectrode capacitance at the desired operating frequency and thereby neutralize this capacitance so that stable operation at the desired frequency will obtain.

The several Lecher systems described heretofore may all be of such length' as to operate at a higher than fundamental mode with respect to the frequency of operation desired. This, it will be seen, clrcumvents one of the stringent restrictions in the design of electron discharge devices operable at extremely high frequencies, namely that the effective length of the portions of the various leading-in conductors within the enclosing vessel be small in comparison with the operating wave-length. The length of thel portions of the various leading-in conductors between the electrodes and the points at which these conductors are sealed in the enclosing vessel then,

may be so chosen that potential nodes occur at these sealing points. Consequently, dielectric losses are minimized and the construction of 'electron discharge devices having a relatively high power capacity at extremely high frequencies, for example, frequencies of the order of 500 megacycles, or higher, is enabled.

It will be apparent that inasmuch as no two of the several circuits are assolcated with the electrodes through a common leading-in conductor, no common impedance for any two circuits is extant and, as a result, undesired and deleterious coupling through such common impedance is eliminated. Specifically, it may bepointed out that undesired coupling between the neutralizzation circuit and the input and output circuits, such as would be due to the inductance of a grid or anode leading-in conductor common toy two these circuits is eliminated.

circuits is eliminated. likewise, undesired coupling between the input and output circuits such as might result from a common impedance introduced by a cathode leading-in conductor in both Consequently, stable operation of a system including such devices is assured and the range of frequencies wherein satisfactory operation is obtainable is extended.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the input, output and neutralization circuits may be distributed constant concentric conductor systems. For example, the input circuit may comprise a tubular metallic member 33 connected to the leading-in conductor I4 for the cathode II and a linear rod 34 positioned in the longitudinal axis of the tubular member 33. The length, and hence the tuning of the circuit including the conductors 33 and 34, may be variedl by a slidable member IBI! which, as shown, more clearly in Fig. 6, comprises a centrally apertured metallic disc 35 contacting with the tubular member 33 but not with the rod conductor 34, another metallic disc 36 contacting the conductor 34 but not the conductor 33, and a disc 31 of dielectric material, for example mica, spacing the discs 35 and 36 and suitably aixed thereto. The several discs, it will be apparent constitute a blocking condenser between the grid I2 and cathode II.

The output circuit may comprise a metallic cylinder 38 connected tothe leading-in conductor I6 for the cathode II, a rod conductor 39 positioned in the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 38 and connected to the leading-in conductor 23 for the anode I3, and a slidable member 40 ci the construction shown in Fig. 6.

Similarly, the neutralization circuit comprises a tubular conductor 4I connected to the anode lead 22, a central rod conductor 42 connected to the grid lead 2|, and a slidable member 43 of the construction shown in Fig. 6 for tuning the neutralization circuit.

Suitable potentials may be applied to the various electrodes by sources, such as batteries 93, 94 and 95 connected as shown in Fig. 5.

One or more of the tuned circuits may be enclosed within the vessel of the electron discharge device as shown, for example, in Fig. 2. The electron discharge device shown in this figure is of the general construction disclosed and claimed in my Patent 2,025,075, granted December 24, 1935 and comprises an enclosing vessel IIJ housing a cathode, control electrode or grid, and anode which are coaxially arranged. The cathode may be a linear'fllament 44 supported at its lower end by an inverted L-shaped leading-in conductor 45 and at its upper end by a bent resilient wire 46 carried by a leading-in conductor 41. The leading-in conductors 45 and 41 are sealed in the vessel I0, for example in the base thereof, at relatively widely spaced points.

The control electrode comprises a helical grid 4B encompassing the cathode 44 and coaxial therewith, and a heat radiating iin 49 carrying the grid 48. The grid 48 and n 49 are supported by a leading-in conductor 50 ailixed to the fin and extending from the vessel I0 in immediate proximity to the leading-in conductor 45 for the cathode.

The anode may be composed of sheet metal and includes a semi-cylindrical portion 5I coaxial with the cathode and grid and a flange or iin portion 52. The anode is supported by a leading-in conductor 53 sealed in the enclosing vessel in immediate proximity to the leading-in conductor 41 for the cathode 44.

' for example, rods 54 ltions is illustrated Suitable tuned input and output circuits such, for example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, may be connected between the conductors 45 and 50 and 41 and 53, respectively. rI he neutralizing circuit may be enclosed in the vessel I0 and comprises, and 55 secured to the fins 49 and 52, respectively, and sheet metal members 56 and 51 carried by the rods 54 and 55, respectively. These sheet metal members are provided with juxtaposed parallel portions 58 and 59 which forma condenser constituting, with the inductances of the rods 54 and 55 and the grid-anode capacitances, a circuit resonantV to the desired operating frequency.

Inasmuch as in the device illustrated in' Fig. 2, the several'circuits are remotely positioned with respectto one another and no two circuits have a common lead impedance, effective segregation of the several circuits is obtained and the desirable o-perating characteristics set forth hereinabove in the description of the device shown in Fig. 1 are achieved.

Although the neutralization circuit has been described heretofore as connected to the grid and anode, it may be connected between the cathode and anode and the output circuit may be connected between the anode and the control electrode or grid. An electron discharge device particularly adaptable for such connecin Fig. 3 and lcomprises an enclosing vessel I0 housing a cathode II, control electrode or grid I2 and anode I3 similar in construction to the electrodes in the device shown in Fig. 1. The leading-in conductor I6 for the cathode II extends from the vessel I0 parallel and in proximity to the leading-in conductor 22 for the anode. The leading-in conductors 2I and 23 for the control electrode or grid and anode, respectively, extend from the vessel adjacent each other, remote from the conductors IB and 22 and preferably at right angles thereto. Similarly, the leading-in conductors I5 and 20 for the cathode and control electrode, respectively, extend parallel and adjacent to each other and preferably at right angles to the conductors I6 and 22.

,A suitable input circuit,.for example of the types disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5, may be connected between the conductors I5 and 20 and a similar suitable output circuit may be connected between the conductors 2| and 23. A suitable neutralization circuit, for example of the types disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5 may be connected between the conductors I6 and 22 and disposed exteriorly of the vessel Ill, or, if desired, this circuit may be enclosed in the vessel I0 as shown in Fig. 2.

Typical systems wherein the neutralization circuit is contained in diagrammatically in Figs. 'I and 8. In the former iigure, the neutralizing circuit is connected between the grid and anode and, in the latter figure, this circuit is connected between the cathode and anode. As shown in these figures, the several circuits may comprise suitable inductances and condensers in parallel.

The invention may be utilized to advantage also in translating systems including external anode discharge devices such, for example, as devices of the general design disclosed in my Patent 2,063,341, granted December 8, 1936. One illustrative discharge device shown in Fig. 9 comprises an enclosing vessel including a cylindrical metallic portion 60 which serves as the anode of the device, and vitreous end portions 6I and 62 having inwardly extending stems 63 and 64, respectively. The anode 60 may be encompassed the vessel I0 are illustrated nect the anode 8| and tube Mounted coaxially within the tube ted to the leading-in co by a jacket 65 forming therewith a chamber through which a cooling medium may be circulated, the jacket 65 being provided with inlet and outlet portions 66 and 61, respectively, having inlet and outlet ports (not shown). Electrical connection to the anode may be established through a conductor 68 secured to the jacket 65.

The anode is provided with an inwardly eX- tending annular portion 69 having diametrically opposite cylindrical longitudinal grooves 10, in each of which a cathode element and a control electrode element are disposed. Each cathode element may be a linear filament 1| supported at one end by a corresponding one of leading-in conductors 12, sealed in the stem 63, through which the requisite heating current may be supsealed in the stem 64.

'I'he control electrode elements may be helical grids 15, each encircling one of the cathode elements 1|, carried by a plate or iin 16 which is supported by a leading-in conductor 11 sealed in the stem 63. The conductor 11 may support also a cup-shaped metallic member 18 which forms a substantially cylindrical inductance with the inwardly extending portion 69 of the anode and forms also a blocking condenser with the charge device comprises an enclosing vessel including vitreous end portions 19 and 8|) and an intermediate cylindrical metallic portion 8| which serves as the anode of the device. Disposed coaxially within the anode 8| is a helical control electrode or grid 82 provided with oppositely extending leading-in conductors 83 and 84 sealed in the vitreous end portions 19 and 80, respectively. Preferably, the grid 82 and conductors 83 and 84 are coaxial with the anode 8|. The grid 82 encompasses a cathode 85, which may be a lament, provided with leading-in conductors 86 and 81, sealed in the vitreous end portion 86, through which the heating current for the cathode may be supplied.

'I'he electron discharge device may be disposed within a cylindrical metallic tube 88 and mounted coaxially therein by metallic webs 89 which con- 88 electrically.

trlcallv connec s mounted co- 8. The rod or cyla longitudinally dias shown in Fig. 11,

axially within nder 9| is enc vided metallic the two halve cylinder 88 an ircled also by l electrodes by and 95, connect The arrangement shown to the severa 88 and 92 tog de 85 constitu output circuit; and the cyl stitute an input circuit.

h, and hence of the cylinder tacts the rod by an insul or cylinder 9|, th ator |06. The

, manipulation able members 96, 9 98 Inasmuch as from the grid the grid conductor conductor 84,

83, 98 is remote 9| and the cathode e, and an output e ced leading comprising an lectrode, a pair of widely spa -in conductors for said 75 input electrode, and a plurality of leading-in conductors for said cathode, one of which is disposed in proximity to one of the leading-in conductors for said input electrode and remote from the other of said leading-in conductors for said input electrode, a resonant circuit connected to said one input electrode leading-in conductor and the cathode leading-in conductor in proximity thereto, a resonant circuit connected to said anode and said other leading-in conductor for said input electrode, and a third resonant circuit connected to said cathode and said anode.

2. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, an input electrode, an output electrode, two leading-in conductors one for said input electrode and the other for said output electrode, and

three leading-in conductors for said cathode, two of said cathode leading-in conductors being disposed in proximity to one of said first conductors and the other of said cathode leading-in conductors being disposed in proximity to the other of said first conductors.

3. A signal translating device comprising a cathode, an anode, a control electrode, a pair of spaced leading-in conductors for said control electrode, a leading-in conductor for said anode angularly displaced from both of said rst leading-in conductors. and a plurality of leading-in conductors for said cathode disposed one in proximity to one of said rst leading-in conductors and the other in proximity to said anode leadingin conductor.

4. A signal translating device comprising a cathode, a grid, an anode, and pairs of leading-in conductors for each of at least two of said cathode, grid and anode, one conductor of each of said pairs extending in proximity to one conductor of another of said pairs, and the other conductors of said pairs extending at substantially right angles to said conductors in proximity.

5. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, an input electrode, an output electrode, a pair of widely spaced leading-in conductors for said input electrode, a pair of leading-in conductors for said output electrode, one of which is in proximity to one of said rst conductors and the other of which is Widely spaced from the other of said first conductors, and a pair of leading-in conductors for said cathode disposed one in proximity to one of the leading-in conductors for said input electrode and the other in proximity to one of the leading-in conductors for said output electrode.

6. An electron discharge device comprising a' cathode, a control electrode, an anode, a pair of widely spaced leading-in conductors for said cathode, a pair of leading-in conductors for said control electrode, one'disposed in proximity to one of said cathode leading-in conductors and the other disposed remote from both of said cathode leading-in conductors, and a pair of leadingin conductors for said anode disposed one in proximity to the other of said cathode leading-inA conductors and the other in proximity to said other leading-in conductor for said control elec-l in said vessel, a pair of leading-in conductors for said cathode, one of said conductors extending from one of the ends of said vessel, and a leading-in conductor for said control electrode extending in proximity tosaid one of said cathode leading-in conductors, and separate resonant circuits connected between said leading-in conductor for said control electrode and said one cathode leading-in conductor and between said anode and the other of said cathode leading-in conductors.

9. Signal translating apparatus comprising an electron discharge device including an enclosing vessel having vitreous end portions and an intermediate metallic portion serving as the anode of the device,va cathode and a grid within said vessel, leading-in conductors \for said grid extending from opposite ends of said vessel, leading-in conductors for said cathode extending from one end of said vessel, a resonant circuit connected to one of said grid leading-in conductors and said anode, a resonant circuit connected to said other grid leading-in conductor and said cathode, and a third resonant circuit connected to said cathode and said anode.

10. An ultra-high frequency amplifier compris ing an electron discharge device including a cath- 0de, a grid, an anode, a pair of divergent conductors extending from each of said cathode, grid and anode, each conductor of each pair being in proximity to only one conductor` of each of the other pairs, an input circuit connected to proximate leading-in conductors for said cathode and grid, and separate resonant circuits connected to proximate conductors for said cathode and anode and for said grid and anode.

11. An ultra-high frequency amplifier comprising an electron discharge device including a cathode, a grid, an anode and a pair of divergent conduct-ors extending from each of said cathode, grid and anode, each conductor of eachV of said pairs being in proximity to but one conductor of another of said pairs, land a plurality of distributed constant circuits connected one between each two conductors in proximity.

12. A translating system, comprising an electron discharge device including an enclosing vessel, a cathode, an input electrode, an output electrode, leading-in conductors for said input electrode extending from opposite ends of said vessel, and a leading-in conductor for said cathode extending from one end of said vessel, a tubular conductor encompassing the leading-in conductors for said input electrode and electrically connected to said anode, a conductive member slidably contacting said tubular conductor and one of the leading-in conductors for said input electrode, a tubular conductor within said first tubular conductor encompassing the other of said leading-in conductors for said input electrodeI and electrically connected to said cathode, and a tuning member slidably contacting said tubular conductors.

13. Signal translating apparatus comprising an electron discharge device including an enclosing vessel having a metallic portion servingas the anode of the device, a cathode and a grid within said vessel, leading-in conductors for said grid extending from opposite ends of said vessel, and leading-in conductors for said cathode extending from one end of said vessel, a metallic member connected to one of said cathode leading-inconductors mounted adjacent one of the grid leadingin conductors and forming a distributed constant system therewith, and a hollow metallic member surrounding said iirst metallic member and the other of said grid conductors and forming distributed constant systems therewith.

14. Signal translating apparatus comprising an electron discharge device including an enclosing vessel having a cylindrical metallic portion serving as the anode of the device, a grid and a cathode within said anode and coaxial therewith, leading-in conductors for said vgrid extending from opposite ends of said vessel and coaxial with said anode, leading-in conductors, for said cathode extending from one end of said vessel, a metallic cylinder encompassing one ofsaid grid leading-in conductors and coaxial therewith, said cylinder being connected to said cathode and forming a concentric conductor system with said one grid leading-in conductor, a metallic cylinder encompassing said rst cylinder and the other of said grid leading-in conductors and forming concentric conductor systems therewith, and means fod varying the effective length of each of said systems.

15. An ultra-high frequency amplier comprising an electron discharge device including a Y cathode, grid and anode coaxially mounted, and a plurality of concentric conductor systems including said electrodes and coaxial therewith, said systems being connected one to said cathode and grid, one to said cathode and anode, and one to said grid and anode, and one of said systems being disposed within another of said systems.

. ARTHUR L. SAMUEL. 

